Community Matters: Cats: We serve them; We love them

Sunday

Apr 16, 2017 at 12:01 AM

By David KellyGuest Column

There is nothing quite like a guest, uninvited, being allowed into your home, then making themselves the complete and total master of the domain. There is nothing quite like a guest showing up unannounced and proceeding to take the best bed, the best lounging spot, even deciding how feeding and sleeping schedules are determined. There is nothing quite like these initial interlopers then completely taking over both your home and your heart.

I speak, of course, of cats.

Yes, cats, those wondrous creatures who saunter around their adopted territory as lord and master, and then burrow their way into your life. They become the ruler of their domain and bestow upon their human servants the realization that, yes, we humans have the privilege of catering to their every need and whim. And we love them.

In December, 2014, my parents returned from a church Christmas party and were greeted in the carport by two cats, roughly 6 months old, who had apparently been dumped. My parents live in the woods in South Arkansas, two miles from the nearest town (which has only 200 residents), and their home seems to be a magnet for dumped animals. These particular ones, later to be named Ginger and Pepper, made their presence known immediately. My parents, being the generous souls they are, soon opened their home, and their hearts, to these two scamps.

Ginger, an orange female, made it known right away exactly who was in charge and it certainly was not anyone else but her. The kitchen counter is her personal observation post. No amount of loving cajoling from my mother will dislodge her royal catness, as if a cat would follow the directions of a human anyway. Of course, being picked up, carried, and loved on while being lovingly scolded doesn’t help any when trying to persuade a cat to not get on the counter. Who has trained who?

Pepper, a male with long, silky black fur, is the complete opposite of his sister. He is very skittish, loves corners and closets where it is dark and quiet. And follows my dad around like a puppy. Fascinating how animals can choose a human. Pepper and I don’t get along too well as we both carry scars, his emotional and mine physical, from our initial encounter of going to the vet. I will say this about Pepper, though — he loves the very soft, plush, Kansas City Chiefs blanket on the foot of my parents’ bed. Maybe he isn’t so bad after all.

My sweetie and I had a cat, George, who was with us for 18 years. No matter what was occurring in our lives, good or bad, George was there. He was there on the kitchen table during morning coffee and newspaper time. He was there on the foot of the bed. He was there on the back of the couch. He was there in the recliner. He slept a lot. He was there. Providing unconditional love and allowing us to serve him. He may be gone but we will always have George.

Such is the way with these beautiful creatures. Not asking for much but providing a tremendous amount in return. Food, water, a litter box, a sunny window, a good belly rubbing on occasion, a lap when wanted — cats truly don’t make unreasonable demands. And the returns are incalculable.

Ginger and Pepper have contributed so much to my parents, and not just to their home. George provided so much to me and Debbie, to us. Never did a servant serve a master with so much love.

David Kelley lives in Fort Smith. He is founder, and sole member, of The Grill Party, is a Kansas City Chiefs season ticket holder and is the Official Grill Master for his regular tailgating crew at Arrowhead Stadium. He is currently working on a degree in Rhetoric/Creative Writing from UAFS. To participate as a columnist in the Times Record's Community Matters series, email Executive Editor Mardi Taylor, mtaylor@swtimes.com.

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